Chương 19: Samrajya of Samrat

Dhum!

Dha Dhum!

Dhum!

Dha Dhum!

The palace courtyard buzzed with anticipation as the rhythmic beat of drums filled the air, signaling the commencement of the grand coronation ceremony. Performers adorned in vibrant attire twirled and swayed to the enchanting melodies of the shehnai, their movements a graceful homage to the auspicious occasion. Amidst the festivities, flower petals rained down upon Emperor Hemu as he made his regal procession through the throngs of cheering spectators. The chants of "Long live the emperor!" reverberated throughout the courtyard, a fervent proclamation of loyalty and devotion to their revered leader.

Following closely behind the emperor, his council of ministers moved with solemn dignity, their presence commanding respect and admiration from the assembled nobles. Among them, Sayantika Sen, a figure of grace and poise, drew murmurs of recognition from the Rajput nobility.

"Isn't she the mother of General Ramya?" one noble whispered to another, prompting nods of agreement.

"I heard she played a pivotal role in Emperor Hemu's campaign against the Mughals, earning her the title of his rakhi sister," another added, his voice filled with admiration.

"We are truly blessed to have such a formidable matriarch in our midst," remarked a third noble, his eyes alight with reverence. "Her contributions have undoubtedly strengthened our empire's standing."

Meanwhile, Aditya observed the unfolding scene with keen interest, his mind abuzz with the significance of the momentous occasion.

As Emperor Hemu ascended the steps to the palace halls, flanked by his escorts and accompanied by the venerable Head Priest Raghav Bhatt, a hush fell over the gathered crowd. With solemn reverence, the priest performed the sacred rites of coronation, pouring water from a golden vessel filled with the sacred waters of the seven sacred rivers - Yamuna, Indus, Ganges, Godavari, Narmada, Krishna, and Kaveri - over the emperor's head. The melodious chants of Vedic mantras echoed through the halls, infusing the ceremony with an aura of sanctity and divine blessing.

With each intonation of the ancient verses, the emperor's stature seemed to grow, his presence imbued with an aura of authority and strength. As the ritual reached its crescendo, the head priest bestowed upon Emperor Hemu the title of Samrat, signifying his ascension to the highest echelon of power.

With a deep bow of respect, Emperor Hemu paid homage to the venerable priest, touching his feet in a gesture of reverence. He then turned to his father, Chandrashekhar, whose eyes glistened with tears of pride and joy. In a moment of profound filial devotion, the emperor bowed before his father, acknowledging the unwavering support and guidance he had received throughout his journey.

Caught in the poignant exchange, Aditya felt a swell of emotion rise within him, witnessing the bond between father and son. As Emperor Hemu's gaze met his own, a silent understanding passed between them.

With a determined stride, Emperor Hemu stepped forward, his sword gleaming in the daylight as he declared in a voice that echoed with authority, "I, Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya Bhargav, declare the founding of the Bhargav dynasty. Let it be known that my empire shall henceforth be known as the Samrajya from Bharat, with the lineage of the Bhargav dynasty, a beacon of strength and prosperity for all who dwell within its borders."

As Emperor Hemu proclaimed the establishment of the Samrajya from Bharat, a murmur of intrigue swept through the assembly, reverberating among the courtiers and nobles.

Whispers of uncertainty danced among the aristocracy. One noble leaned in to another, asking with an air of skepticism, "Was it not decreed to be the Sultanate where we would have our sharia (Islamic law)? What is the significance of this 'Samrajya'?"

The Afghan lords, renowned for their stoic demeanor, exhibited a subtle unease. One among them murmured, "Does this proclamation signify our exclusion?" A swift reprimand from his comrade stifled further dissent, underscoring the gravity of the occasion.

However, as Emperor Hemu addressed the assembly, his words resounded with regal authority that commanded everyone's attention. With measured eloquence, he clarified upon the essence of the Samrajya of Bharat, dispelling doubts and invoking a sense of unity among the gathered nobility of Rajyas or kingdoms.

"In declaring the Samrajya from Bharat, let it be known that this empire will be founded on the core values of Bharat," he proclaimed, his voice resolute as he explained. "The land between the sea in the south and the abode of snow in the north has been called Bharat since the time of our ancestors. Though we may have been divided into different kingdoms or empires, we have always shared and depended on the same resources for survival and prosperity. Regardless of our varying religions, our ancestors were born here, lived here for generations, and were laid to rest here, making this land an integral part of our identity. It is essential to establish the foundation of our new empire on these origins and with clarity, so that in the future, no outsider would ever dare to question who belongs here.

A murmur of understanding rippled through the crowd. With a subtle gesture from Chandrashekar, the murmurs ceased, allowing Hemu to continue.

"For us, everyone who lives within Bharat is a Bhartiya, regardless of region or religion. Since our empire lies on this mainland, it is crucial to include and assimilate everyone into Bhartiya culture. Therefore, we are adopting the term Samrajya instead of the previously used sultanate. There will be no privileges; rather, there will be one way of living in our empire, and that is to live and let live with equal dignity. Let the world know that a new dawn has risen in this country."

At this juncture, the representative of the Malwa Kingdom addressed the emperor with caution, "Forgive me, Emperor, for my boldness, but are you aiming for Bhartiya Samrajya, do you mean all of Akhand Bharat (all of India)? What about the other non-empire regions?"

A noble of the empire faction snorted in response, "None can challenge His Majesty Emperor's greatness, and we will bear the flag of the empire across the Indian subcontinent."

The crowd murmured in response, their reactions reflecting a mix of anticipation and skepticism.

Emperor Hemu replied with measured dignity, "My esteemed noble guest, Bharat is for all, and this empire seeks to maintain stability and security for all and not to incite war for unjust causes. We aspire for peace and prosperity through trade with our fellow Indian kingdoms."

The entire crowd listened intently as Hemu continued, "The Bhargav dynasty's empire is an empire of Bharat, but not an Akhand Bharat or Bharat Samrajya. We shall wait until all kingdoms willingly merge with the empire. For the sake of peace, as the first Samrat of the Bhargav dynasty, I declare that my dynasty shall never wage unjust wars and will always choose peace as the first option."

The crowd murmured in response, their reactions reflecting shock and disbelief.

"For too long," the Emperor continued with conviction, "we have known the ravages of war, the futile pursuit of conquest that has only led to our own subjugation at the hands of outsiders. If my memory serves me right, our brothers in the south have suffered similar fates."

At these words, all eyes turned towards the Dutch representatives, casting a shadow of introspection over the assembly. The Dutch ambassador's composure faltered momentarily, a ripple of discomfort crossing his face.

With a hint of disdain, he addressed the Emperor, "Your Majesty, it is deeply troubling to witness such hostility towards a diplomat who has come as a guest to trade. This, I must say, contradicts the revered Indian belief of 'atithi devo bhava' (guest is god). Such treatment is an insult to the very values your great culture upholds."

The Emperor, bemused, remarked, "Ah, it seems you are familiar with our principles. What else do you wish to share?"

The Dutch ambassador, adopting a more diplomatic tone, responded, "Your Majesty, let us not lose sight of the auspicious occasion we are celebrating today. Since the Samrajya's stance towards the Dutch is clear, so I have no intention of furthering offense or escalating tensions."

Hateful slogans rebuking the Dutch erupted among the gathered nobles. The ambassador paused briefly, reading the room, then continued, "In time, as Your Majesty's perspective broadens beyond India's borders, there remains an enduring possibility for amicable relations. The Dutch are ever-present and willing to engage on friendly terms when the moment is right."

Murmurs of interest and concerns about the potential for conflict spread in hushed voices, as the earlier tension began to subside.

His expression turned serious, his voice carrying a subtle hint of warning, "It is important to remember, Your Majesty, that the Dutch presence should not be ignored. We are prepared to foster peaceful relations when the time is opportune."

Emperor Hemu, with a smug smile, replied, "I comprehend your perspective. As you seem to grasp our values, I shall grant you leave with your dignity intact. The exit awaits," he added, pointing towards the exit of the court.

At this juncture, the Portuguese representatives appeared to be on cloud nine, sporting a teasing grin directed at the retreating Dutch envoy.

As the Dutch representative retreated from the assembly, the Emperor resumed his declaration, undeterred by the brief interruption.

"In our pursuit of peace, let it be known that we do not cower in fear or weakness."

The crowd, as anticipated, echoed their approval, affirming their allegiance to the Emperor's words.

Hemu continued, "However, should anyone dare to threaten the security or integrity of our empire, let it be understood that the full force of our wrath shall be unleashed upon them."

A hushed silence fell over the assembly, punctuated only by the solemn chant of Shadi Khan, "Long live the Samrat! Long live the Samrajya!" The chant was taken up by others, their voices ringing out in unison as they pledged their allegiance to the Emperor and his realm.

With a dignified nod, Emperor Hemu took his seat upon the throne, signaling the commencement of the reward ceremony amidst an atmosphere of solemn reverence.

During the reward ceremony, Emperor Hemu bestowed territories upon his loyal nobles in recognition of their generous military support. While many of these territories were already under their governance and widely known, the official acknowledgment from the emperor solidified their claims and stability.

Amidst the prestigious titles being announced, there came the momentous declaration of the Kingdom of Bengal. This vast domain, encompassing modern-day Bihar, Jharkhand, Bengal, and the entire nation of Bangladesh, was to be awarded to Raamya Sen.

As anticipation rippled through the crowd, all eyes searched for the 23-year-old general who had earned renown on the battlefield. But to their astonishment, he was nowhere to be found.

Emperor Hemu, his voice tinged with emotion, directed his gaze towards a particular direction and beckoned, "Come forth, my child. Do not hesitate. You have endured enough. It is time to reveal your true identity."

Curious gazes turned to follow the emperor's indication, and shock washed over the assembly as they beheld an unexpected sight – the mystery girl, clad in regal attire, stepped forward. At first, she hesitated, but with the Emperor's encouraging words, she summoned the courage to unveil her face, lifting the veil that obscured her features. A collective gasp swept through the crowd as they beheld the revelation before them.

One Rajput noble, his disbelief evident, uttered, "She has been a woman all along."

An Afghan noble, incredulous, exclaimed, "Impossible! A woman possessing the strength to cleave a mounted knight in half?"

Meanwhile, Aditya's mind raced with astonishment, pondering, "Is that fiery woman really Raamya?"

Undeterred by the shocked murmurs, Raamya moved with confidence, gracefully lowering herself into a respectful bow before Emperor Hemu, her sharp voice ringing out with unwavering loyalty as she chanted, "Long live the Samrat."

Before the Emperor could bestow upon her the imperial deed, the head priest stepped forward, his voice laced with concern and protest.

"This is a grave sin, Your Majesty," the head priest declared solemnly, his eyes wide with alarm. "The empire will be doomed if a woman assumes rulership. This is blasphemy, Your Majesty, Emperor."

The atmosphere crackled with tension as the assembly grappled with the unprecedented turn of events. Whispers filled the air, echoing the head priest's concerns and questioning the validity of a female ruler. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, Raamya stood firm, her resolve unwavering as she awaited the Emperor's decree.